On ZTE Senate Hearing
DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco
The Philstar
Friday, September 28, 2007
I was going through the transcript of the ZTE hearings and I am glad
that Sen. Dick Gordon voiced the view I expressed here that the NBN
should not be a high priority in the use of government funds because
there are private sector alternatives. Perhaps, China can see this too
and agree to divert the money it was willing to lend us for NBN to such
projects such as modernizing our public hospitals.
Here are Sen. Gordon’s views expressed during the hearing.
“With
that kind of money, $329 million, Php 15 billion, is that really a
priority or is it really donor driven? Nagpahiram ang China… may pera
kami rito, ha? Kahit na hindi n’yo kailngan umutang na kayo para makuha
natin … Saying, pinapahiram tayo eh. Mababa ang interest. Pero hindi
naman kailangan ng gobyerno right away.
“Hindi
n’yo ba puwedeng sabihin sa China, “O pautangin n’yo na lang kami
dadalhin naming sa eskwela. Lalagyan namin ng computers yung eskwela
para masanay lahat yung tao para pagdating ng araw pag dumating ang
broadband madali nang magawa iyon.
“O di naman kaya
pautangin n’yo kami paayos natin yung PGH. Paayos natin yung Orthopedic
Hospital. Lalagyan natin ng mga regional hospitals. Di ba dapat yun ang
ginagawa natin? Or is it really a priority na broadband samantalang may
Smart, may Globe… Bakit hindi natin gamitin yun muna para maunahan yung
pera ng gobyerno para ma-prioritize ang talagang pangangailngan ng tao?
Hindi ba natin pinaguusapan iyon?”
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=20070927275
Don’t demonize China naman
